USA > New Jersey > Documents relating to the colonial history of the state of New Jersey, Volume II > Part 12
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140
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1697
Twentieth and three and Twentieth years of his said late Mates Reign Entituled an Act to prevent the Plant- ing of Tobacco in England and for Regulating the Plantac'on Trade, An Act made in the Twenty fifth year of the Reign of his said late Matie Entituled an Act for the Encouragement of the Greenland and Eastland Trades, and for the better securing the Plan- tac'on Trades, An Act made in the Seventh and Eighth years of the Reign of his prent Matie Entituled An Act for preventing frauds and Regulating Abuses in the Plantac'on Trade, and all other Acts of Parliam now in force relating to the Plantac'on Trade Then this Obligation to be void or else to remain in full force & virtue.
From the King, to the Proprietors of East & West Jersey, relating to the Plantation Trade. [From P. R. O. B. T., Proprieties, Vol. 25, p. 69.]
The King's Letter to the Proprietors of East and West New Jerseys relating to the Plantation Trade.1
W. R.
Trusty and Welbeloved, We Greet you well. Whereas notwithstanding the many good Laws made from time to time, for preventing of Frauds in the Plantation Trade, it is manifest that very great abuses have been, and continue still to be practised to the prejudice of the same, Which Abuses must needs arise, either from the insolvency of the Persons who are accepted for Security, or from the remissness or
1Delivered to Mr. Bass the 21tn May 1697.
N. B. The Letter to West Jersey was the same (mutatis mutandis).
.
141
SECRETARY POPPLE TO JEREMIAH BASSE.
1697]
connivance of such as has been, or are Governours in the Several Plantations, who ought to take care that those persons who give Bond shall be duely prosecuted in case of nonperformance; You are to take notice that We take the good of Our Plantations, and the improve- ment of the Trade thereof by a strict and punctual observance of the Several Laws in force concerning the same, to be of so great importance to the benefit of this Our Kingdom and to the Advancing of the Duty of Our Customs here, That if We shall be here- after informed that at any time there shall be any failure in the due observance of those Laws within Our Colony of East New Jersey by any wilfull fault or neglect on your part, We shall look upon it as a Breach of the Trust reposed in you, deserving the marks of Our highest displeasure, So We bid you heartily farewell.
Given at Our Court at Kensington this 22th day of Aprill 1697 in the 9th Yeare of our Reigne
By his Majesty's Command SHREWSBURY.
To Our Trusty and Welbeloved the Proprietors of Our Colony of East & West New Jersey in America.
From Secretary Popple to Mr. Basse, inclosing the form of Bond received from Attorney General April 9th, 1697.
[P. R. O. B. T. Proprieties, Vol. 25, p. 75.]
Lett! to M! Bass abt a Bond to be entered into by ye Propriet's of the Several Plantations in America.
To MR BASS
S. Whereas the lords Spiritual and Temporal in Parliament have (by a late Address) humbly repre-
.
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NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1697
sented to his Majesty as a matter of great Importance, both to this Kingdom and his Majesty's Plantations in America that the many good Laws which have from time to time been made for the Government of the said Plantations should be strictly observed and put in Execution, And in Order thereunto have humbly pro- posed to his Majesty that the Several Proprietors of the Plantations where his Majesty hath no Gov- ernours of his own nomination may Enter into Secu- rity here that their respective Deputy Governours shall from time to time observe and obey all Instruc- tions that shall be sent to them from his Majesty or any acting under his authority, pursuant to the several acts of Trade relating to the Plantations; And whereas his Majesty hath thereupon been pleased to give Directions to the Lords Commissioners of the Council of Trade and Plantations to require Security from the said Several Proprietors accordingly; Their Lordships have commanded me to send you the inclosed form of a Bond which hath been prepared by his Majesty's Atturney General for that purpose, that you may communicate it to the rest of the Proprietors both of East and West New Jersey for their Com- pliance therewithall; And further to add that in Order to the more Speedy Execution of what his Majesty hath required in this particular, their Lordships are desirous to Speak with you on Munday next at four of the Clock in the afternoon. I am &c
Whitehall May 6th 1697.
W: R:
1697] BASSE'S COMMISSION AS GOVERNOR OF W. JERSEY. 143
Draft of Commission to Jeremiah Basse, as Governor of West Jersey.
[From copy among Manuscripts of W. A. Whitehead.] To our Trusty & Welbeloved &c Jeremiah Basse Esq.
Greeting
According to the power and Authority resideing in us of Constituteing ye Govern'r and Commander in Cheife of ye Province of West New Jersey in America with all other offices Civill or Military thereunto belonginge: haveing great confidence in the Ability prudence and Integrity of you the said Jeremiah Basse have nominated constituted and apointed and doe hereby nominate Constitute and apoint you our Governor Generall and Com'ander in Cheife of the saide Province giveing you full power and authority to Co'mand Order and Govern the same togeather with all Islets Ilands Rivers and Seas within the boundaries of the same Province or belonging thereunto and to doe and performe all and every thing and things which to the charge and office of a Governor and Co'mander in Cheife will appertaine for the space & Tearme of one year from the date of these presents and so long after untill some other perso' be nominated [& | constituted Governor in your roome by a nother commicon sent from London and arived in the same Province and theare published [on wch this present commisseon to be void]' Commanding all inferior Officers both Civill and Military which we hearby Comitionate you to Consti- tute and appoint to give due respect and obedience to you the said Jeremiah Basse as our Governor Generall
1 The words within brackets interlined, and the words "according to Law " here erased .- ED ..
1
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NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
[1697
and Com'ander in Cheife of the saide Province, accord- ing to this our Commic'on and the power heareby given to you and according to the Lawes and Constitutions made or confirmed, or to be made or Confirmed, by us which you the saide Governor are yourself also to observe and follow as [to] your duty & office doth appertaine As also to observe and full- fill all such orders as shall be made and sent you by [us]' or the Committee for the time being under ye publique Seal of the saide Province and we doe also Commissionate and Impower you ye saide Jeremiah Basse' to nominate Constitute and appoint by Commic'on under your hand and the seale of the Province a Deputy Governor under you to serve in ye saide Province dureing your nessesary absence theare from and no longer he being obliged to observe and [p'forme]2 all sch orders as shall be made & sent under publique seale by us [or] ye Committee for ye time being & Governing according to ye Lawes [& Consti- tut"] of ye saide Province. Given in London under our hands & ye publique seale of ye said Province of West New Jersey this eighteenth of May: Anno Dom: 1697 Annog Domini Nostri Gulielmi Reg: Tertii none &c.
THO: LANE.
1 Although the draft from which this is printed is on parchment, and signed by Sir Thomas Lane it is not probable, the commission sent to America. That does not appear to have been executed before July 15th, 1697. Moreover, this document after being executed, seems to have been submitted to some one having authority to revise it, and hence the interlineations and alterations, and it was found in private hands in England. At the place indicated above, the following words were erased "the Kings Commic'ioners of the Counsell of Trade or the Commic'ioners of ye Customs or by us."-ED.
2 " fullfill " erased.
145
AGREEMENT OF WEST JERSEY AUTHORITIES.
1697]
Agreement Signed by the Governor, Council and Members of the House of Representatives of West Jersey, binding themselves to uphold, to the utmost of their power, the authority of the King as against all his enemies.
[From P. R. O. B. T. Proprieties, Vol. B 19.]
WHEREAS there has been a horrid and detestable Conspiracy formed and Carried on by Papists, and other wicked & Traitorous Persons, for assassinating his Majest's Royall Person in order to Encourage an Invation from France on England, to subvert our Religion, Laws and Liberty; We whose names are hereunto Subscribed, do heartily, sincerely and solemnly profess, Testify and Declare, that his present Majesty King William's Rightfull and Lawfull King of the Realms of England, Scotland and Ireland, and that neither the late King James, nor the pretended Prince of Wales, nor any other Person hath any Right whatsoever to the same; And we do mutually promise and Engage to Stand by and assist each other to the utmost of our Power in the Support and defence of his Majtys most Sacred Person and Government against the late King James, and all his Adherents, and in case his Majesty come to any violent or untimely death (which God forbid), We do hereby further freely and unanimously oblige ourselves to unite, associate & Stand by each other in revenging the Same upon his Enemys & Their Adherents, and in Supporting and defending the Succession of The Crown, according to an Act made in the 1st year of the Reign of King William and Queen Mary; Entituled an Act declaring
11
146
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1697
the Rights and Libertys of the subjects and settling the Succession of the Crown
Subscribed at Burlington May the 20th 1697 Members of ye House of Representatives
AND: HAMILTON Governor
JOHN HOLME JOHN READING
EDWARD HUNLOKE r
JOHN TATHAM
GEO TAYLOR
THO: REVELL
of the AND' ROBESON
NATH: WESTLAND
JN.º WORLIDGE
TIMOTHY BRANDRETH SAME HEDGE
JACOB DAYTON
JOSEPH WOODROOFFE
JOHN SHAW
JOHN RAMBO
PETER MATSON
his - mark
BENJAMIN BRAMMA
his º mark
JOHN ASHBROOK JOHN CRAFFORD
Address of the Governor and Council of West Jersey to the King, on his escape from the attempts of assassins.
[From P. R. O. B. T. Proprieties, Vol. 2, B. 19, No. 3.1
THE HUMBLE addresse of your Majesties most Loyall Subjects, The Governor & Council of your Majesties Province of West New Jersie in America. May 30th 1697.
May it please yo" most Excellent Majestie
WITH hearts full of joy we blesse the Divine good- nesse in the delivery of your Majesties most Sacred Person (and in it our Religion, our Rights, our Liber- ties) from the attempts of most barbarous Assassins,
govrs Council
147
1697] QUAKER AGREEMENT TO UPHOLD THE KING.
We do assure your Majestie that with ye same cheer- fullnesse we shall be allways most ready to Justify our Loyalty agreeable to ye Association we have en- tered into.
Long and happy be yor Majesties Raign over us, And may all devices against your Sacred life and Gov- ernmt be confounded and brought to nought So prayeth May it please your Majesty yor Majesties
Most humble & most obedient Subjects and Servants AND: HAMILTON G EDWARD HUNLOKE
JOHN TATHAM
THO: REVELL NATH: WESTLAND
Agreement of the Quaker Members of the House of Representatives of West Jersey, to uphold the interests of the King.
[From P. R. O. B. T .. Proprieties, Vol. (2) B 19, No. 4.]
WEE the Subscribers to this present Instrument (being vnder ye Denomination of Quakers) haveing vnderstood, that a Horrid Plott, and Conspiracy, hath been contrived against ye person and Government of King William ye third, over England &c: which it hath pleased God, graciously to prevent; by a timely Discovery thereof: as appears at large, by an Act of Parliament presented to vs at this time by our Gover- nor, Andrew Hamilton: Recommending it as propper, for us after ye example of England &c: to Subscribe, to ye form an association in that Act Contained.1 Or at least; that such of us whose Religiouse Principles
1 This association was framed in Parliament in May 1696; the plot referred to having been frustrated a few months previously. Tindal says: "The association was carried from the Houses of Parliament over all England, and was signed by all sorts of people, very few only excepted."-ED.
148
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
[1697
will not suffer us to Subscribe in manner and form therein Expressed; Should Answer ye Intent of it, by Subscribeing to a Declaration, of our fidelity, and Loyalty, to ye King and Government as now Estab- lished, which we willingly, and Chearfully doe in manner following viz:
WEE doe Sollemnly Promise and Declare, in ye presence of God, ye witness of ye truth of what we say That we will always be ffaithfull to King William and vse all such Endeavors, as we can for ye preserva- tion and Safety of his person and Government, and doe Utterly Abhorr, and Detest, all Traiterouse and Dissloyall practices, against our King and Government, and are thankfull to God, for his preservations Con- tinued over his person; and ye Realmes he Rules which we pray God long to Continue in peace and Safety.
SAMIL JENINGS Speak".
FRANCIS DAVENPORT
WILLIAM COOPER
WILLIAM BIDDLE
JOHN HOLLINGHEAD
MAHLON STACY
PETER FRETTWELL
DANIEL MILLS
JONA BEERE
THO: GARDINER
BENJ WHEATE
THOMAS THACKERY
JOHN THOMPSON
RICHARD HERITAGE
WILLIAM PATE ?
JOHN TAYLOR
ARCHEBELL MICHELL
JAMES ATKINSON
FRED: JAM. LIPPINCOTT
SAMLL SPICER
ROBERT WILSON ?
JOHN ADAMS
WILLIAM WOOD
THOMAS RAPER ?
GEORGE DEACON
JOSHUA HUMPHRIS
JOHN HUGG
THOMAS LAMBERT
MATHEW MEDCALFE
JOHN SCOTT
The mark of
HENRY CALLINGOR
JOHN + WOOLSTON
RICHARD DAVKIN
The marke of
HANANIAH GAM
. JOHN +) DAY
JOSEPH COOPER
SAMLL WADE
JOSEPH BROWNE
JOHN HUGG JR
JOHN WRIGHT
WM HALL
1697]
APPROVAL OF J. BASSE'S APPOINTMENT ASKED FOR. 149
Memorial of the Proprietors of East and West Jersey, asking for the approval of the appointment of Jeremiah Basse, as Governor of those Provinces.
[From P. R. O. B. T., Vol. 1, A 44.]
Mem! of ye Proprs of E & West New Jerseys, signi- fying their having nominated Mr Jeremiah Bass to be Gov' of those Provinces, & desiring his Maty's approbation
TO THE RT HONBIE THE LORDS COMMRS OF TRADE AND PLANTA'CONS
WHEREAS by a late Act of Parliament all Govern's to be Chosen by Propriet's of Lands within His Majes Dominions and Territoryes in America are to be approved of by His Majesty
And the Proprietors of the Provinces of East and West Jersey in America being Satisfyed in the Loyalty of M" Jeremiah Basse to the Crowne; his affec'on to the present Government, Experience in the Affaires of the Said Provinces, and abillity for public Employment. Have Chosen and appointed the Said Jeremiah Basse to be Govern' of the Said Provinces.
The said Proprietors doe therefore humbly recom- mend the Said Basse to yor Lordships in order to have his Majes approbac'on and pray that the Said Basse may be approved of for Governour of the Said Provinces.
THO LANE THO: HART
PETER SONMANS
THO: COOPER
150
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL. DOCUMENTS.
[1697
Letter from Lords Commissioners of Trade to Jere- miah Basse, relating to the necessity for his giving security before being appointed Deputy Governor.
¡From P. R. O. B. T. Proprieties, Vol. 25, p. 82.1
To MR JEREMIAH BASS
SR The Lords Com'issioners of the Council of Trade have commanded me to acquaint you that they Judge it expedient, that the Security which is required for the Governors of Proprieties, be taken here before they present to his Majesty or the Lords Justices, the names of any persons for those Governments. That you may thereupon take your own measures for the Expediting of what is to be done with relation to your nomination to the Government of New Jersey &º I am W: P:
8 June 1697.
From Jeremiah Basse to Secretary Popple. [From P. R. O. B. T., Vol. 1, A 48.]
Letter from Mr Jerem: Basse about Pirates and Piracies [and the Security demanded of him as Governor of New Jersey.]
London 15 July 1697
SR As I always believe itt to be my duty so itt shall be my constant endeavor to Com'unicate to you any thinge that I beleive may conduce to the honor or interest of his Most Excellent Majesty or of this nation. & I cannot but hope that by a favorable con- struction of my first attempt in this kind you will
151
GOVERNOR BASSE ON PIRATES AND PIRACIES.
1697]
embolden me to Continue my writeinge to you when It may be I may have somethinge of greater Conse- quence to Offer to your Consideration.
You cannot be unsensible of the dishonnor as well as damage that this nation sustaines by the increasinge of Piracies under the banner of England in any part of the World. And as the perticuler depredations of Avery on the coast of India & Arabia togeather with the ill efects thereof hath come under your Coynisance so I beleive you have not been uninformed of the increasinge of Pyrates in those coastes ocationed by the great expectations of Riches to be obtained theare & itt may be by the too much Connivance of those in whose power. itt may have been to have suppressed them; the sundry Plantations boath oppon the Maine & in the Islands of America haveinge not a little contributed to the increasinge of this trade sundry vessels suspected to be bound out on this designe haveing in my time sayled from one or another province on the Continent leavinge some of them Wives and families as pledges of their returne behind them & I am advised that four or five vessels are ex- pected to returne with in these few months who have one board men appertaineinge to the Provinces of New England New Yorke the Jersies &c. & they will be emboldened thearto by the good entertainement that they have formerly met withal in some of these provinces & their ignorance at preasant of any thinge that may make them Jealeous of being worse enter- tained now unless any new orders concerninge them to the respective Governors should have reached their eares Which If they have Obtained they will endeavor to prevent the force of by runninge their vessels into some unfrequented Port & thence dispersing them- selves wheare their inclinations lead them to believe they may be most secure in which places itt may be they will Abide till by extravagance haveinge ex-
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NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS. [1697
hausted their stock they are forced to prepare for a New Expedition Which to prevent for the future itt beinge in my opinion very much our honnor & interest so to doe I would desire Your advice:
What to doe with those that have formerly followed this trade and at preasant may be setled in any part of the Jarsies & also
What course will be best to take with those that heareafter may come in amongst us in order to the supressinge of them for the time to come. the gener- ality of our people receivinge no small advantage by the currencie of their monys I know are not very for- ward in their suppression & nead to be engaged to itt by an expresse & positive command from that power that they dare not be disobedient unto. and I must acknowledge the damages I have personally sustained by these sort of men haveinge been taken & ill used by some of them fills me with a just aversion to them.
I must also begg your advise on some things rela- teinge to the Government Of the Jersies that I may not through Ignorance offend, but shall leave them to another oppertunity at Preasant Shall onely desire to be informed wheather every person that Is in any Place, either of State or trust wheather as Commiss's of the Peace Sherifs. &c or wheather Sittinge in the Assembly as the peoples representatives are not to qualifie themselves by takeinge the Ooaths & Signinge the Assotiation as presented by Act of Parliment the knowledge of this & the Instructions of the Lords Com'issioners of the Counsell of trade relateinge theareonto would be of no meane concerne to our provinces.
I am sorry the Absence of some of our prinsepall proprietors hath hindered me from layinge before them the bonds & proposals of Security demanded by the Lords Com'issioners of the Counsel of trade which by yours of the 8th June: I expected to be previous to my
153
1697]
GOVERNOR BASSE ON PIRATES AND PIRACIES.
nomination to the Government of the Jarsies. I can- not but acknowledge that ware the things true that are alleged against the proprietarie Colonies & their Governors theare would sceme to be some reason for this demand & Yet even then (I would humbly Offer itt as my opinion that) the security that Is the bond of the Governor resideinge & actinge in the saide provinces may be adjudged suffitient, espeatialy for those provinces that the proprietors are pleased to intrust me withall. No person beinge Capable of actinge without his Majestyes aprobation which Indeed seeme to render them almost as much the choise of the crowne as of the proprietors It beinge rationall to suppose that the crown will not approve of any that theare is not good grounds to beleive will to their utmost promote the interest & honnor thearof and indead espetially as to myselfe If I ware so foolish as to act in contradiction to that in which it is beleived the interest of the Crowne doth Consist I see not much probality of my haveinge opertunity so to doe Tobbacos the transportation of which to Holland or Scotland beinge the thinge prinsipaly complained of not groweinge within the boundaries of the Jarsies in a sufficient quantity to supply their owne expence neither can I thinke the Crowne will run any risque in the acceptinge of a personall security from the Gov- ernor provided he hath an interest either in the Government or in England that may answer his bonds If forfeited & itt most rationall that If he offends he alone should be punished for his Offences which he will be by incurringe the penaltys of the Acts of Par- liment forfeitinge his bond & looseinge of his Govern- ment. And In a word I cannot but looke uppon itt as a little to great a Suspition of my probity & zeale to his Majestyes interest to require so great a Caution when those Gentlemen who have adventured to en- trust me with the government have also entrusted me
154
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
[1697
with the management of all their Estate theare which hath Cost them some thousand pounds more than the sum demanded to be given bond for & this without ever demandinge my own much less other security. S' I would willingly be so much in the good opineon of this government as to induce them to believe that I shall doe as much nay more that may conduce to itts honnor & interest from that pationate desire of its Welfare & a Constant Affection to itt which I have ever accordinge to my ability discovered then I could be induced to by the feares of any penalty or damage. Excuse S' What you judge amiss & beleve me to be Sr Your obleidged & very humble Serytt
From Jeremiah Basse to Secretary Popple asking for a reply to the foregoing letter. [From P. R. O. B. T., Proprietors, Vol. 1, A 49.]
Letter from Mr. Jerem: Basse about Pirates and Piracies. LONDON ye 21th July 1697
SR
I was in some hopes to have Receved some replie to mine of the 18th [15] Inst: & the rather In that I feare the time of my stay in England begins sensibly to shorten.
I am shure none ever went into those Colonies with more steady resolutions vigorously to promote every
155
1697]
ANSWER TO FOREGOING LETTERS.
thing that may be the advantage or honnor of the crowne & shall be extreamely sorry If I am disabled through want of necessary orders from the Right honorble the Lords Comi'tioners of the Counsel of Trade Pyracies the great & just complaint of America ought to be discoraged & though I am sensible Who ever attempts it in that manner yt I would willingly doe will theareby expose themselves to no meane haz- ards. Yet am fully resolved to Conforme my selfe to the instructions I hope & desire to Receive from that honorable board in order theareunto.
The preventinge frauds in trade Is the ground of those late acts of parliment that Relate to the planta- tions & even in this also I shall nead some rules to walke by. I should be Obleidged to you If you would favor me with a line in answer either to this or my former & that You believe me to be
Your very humble Serytt
For Wm. Popple Esq" J BASSE.
att Whitehall.
From Secretary Popple to Jeremiah Basse, in answer to the preceding letters.
[From P. R. O. B. T., Proprietors, Vol. 25, p 92.]
Letter to Mr. Basse About Pyrats & Piracies. To M' JEREMIAH BASSE.
SR
Your Letters to me of the 15th and 218 Instant have both of them been this day laid before the Lords Com- missioners of the Council of Trade and Plantations, And their Lordships upon Consideration thereof being
156
NEW JERSEY COLONIAL DOCUMENTS.
[1697
pleased with the Zeal you Express for the Suppression of Pyrats, and desirous to make use of all the light they can get to assist them in their deliberations how best toattain that end, have Commanded me to desire from you a more particular Explanation of some things which you hint at upon that Subject; Vizt: Which of the Provinces are they that you understand to have been most blamable in their Conduct towards Pyrats ? What particular Matters of Fact do you know, relating either to the Pyrats themselves or their abettors ? who are the Pyrats now Expected to return, and to what particular place. By whom is it that you say you were taken and how did they use you ? What methods do you think most proper to be used for the Suppress- ing of Pyrats ? And how is it that you say you are desirous to go about that work ? What Court is there in either of the Jersies that can or ever did try Pyrats ? And what Law have they there to do it by ? Your particular and full Answer to all which heads will be very acceptable to their Lordships.
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